GPs

[kingfa39]

would like to buy a gps for the bus, but i know nothing about them , can anybody put a little light on this subject?? Thanks
Frank Allen
4106

[grantgoold]

Frank, many things come into play when looking for a GPS.  One consideration is do you also plan to have a laptop in the bus? Will you have inverter power while traveling down the road. Do you have a satellite system that allows tracking while moving? If you answered yes to these questions you might need to look into the possibility of having a laptop-based system.

You might be able to invest in the laptop and GPS software and get a bigger bang for your buck.

We went this way and use the Microsoft product "streets and maps 2007".

Not the most user friendly software initially but you get use to it. We also like the capability to pick up WiFi signals and gain access to the internet for traffic updates, weather and places to visit.

I hope this gives you some food for thought.


Grant
Sacramento

[white-eagle]

TigerDirect is selling a MIO which seems to have a whole bunch of places already loaded.  3.5" screen, about $200.  Camping world has Cobra 2100, 3.5" screen, speed warning, voice, MPeg (i know that's a biggie, NOT) for $250, and a bunch more, sizes up to about 7".  you can also get them with the backup camera built in rather than just the gps map, but the price goes up big time.

Personnally i use Delorme Street Atlas and Microsoft MapPoint (big brother to Streets and Trips) running on my notebook, using the Delorme GPS device plugged in and setting on the dash.  Software for your computer is about $100 if you buy the GPS with it.  Delorme is hands down least expensive for the GPS device and software.  Microsoft just uses whatever you have.  they both have a lot of campground, parks, tourist things already loaded and do a decent job getting around.  i prefer the MapPoint this year over Delorme, but you have to buy Delorme to get the GPS, so you could just use it.

i've been looking at some of the less expensive portable GPS units like the Cobra becuase they just plug into the cigar lighter and easily movable, plus you don't have to worry about powering the notebook or the noise it makes sliding onto the floor as you brake hard.

i spend a fair amount of time looking at the prices and reviews on amazon although i'm not sure i'd buy it there.

if you're going to the GLCC rally this week in Elkhart, i'll be demonstrating my computer software GPS use.

[coolbus]

Once you've bought one, It's like one of those things you don't know how you ever got along without!

I like the one I picked out after lots of research. It's a Garmin StreetPilot C340. Tells you audibily the names of the streets you need to turn on, etc. Gives you your current speed (MPH), lets you know your expected arrival time. Will automatically re-route you if you decide to go off course (stop for fuel, dinner, etc). My wife takes it with her when she needs to go to Portland, etc.

You can save all the info you want in it, so you can look up past adresses. Built in points of interest; food, hospitals, motels, airports, etc etc.

Very easy to use right out of the box! About $389

(This is a self contained unit; does not need the use of a laptop. There may be advantages to the laptop variety, but I liked the portability aspect of this one. I take it from rig to rig, my wife also takes it in her car. I was afraid the screen was going to be hard to see, but not so.)

Very useful when traveling in an unfamiliar area. I love it.

Mark

[RJ]

Frank -

There have been several good threads on this BBS regarding GPS systems.  Here's a link to just one of them:

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3783.msg34163#msg34163

In addition, by using the "search" button at the top of the page, and plugging "gps" into the main search box, it will bring up all the related threads.

Between all of them, you should be thoroughly "corn-fuzzled"!!   

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Dreamscape]

My wife bought me one for my birthday last year, Cobra brand. It is pretty cool, just move it from car to bus, no problem. Used it for the bus move last year from CA to TX. Bought it from QVC, you know that favorite place women shop. Just plug and play.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[Hi yo silver]

Thanks for asking that question, Frank.  I had intended to ask if someone else didn't.  I'm just not quite ready yet, but I need the same input from everybody.  Let us know what you decide,
Dennis

[rip]

I have Copilot which I use in my laptop and this spring I bought a Garmin nu vi 660.We are full timers so they get a lot of use.The Garmin is a great unit and is a little more accurate then the Copilot. No systems are perfect,but both will get you there sometimes taking different routes. We added the Garmin to use the the car because my wife complained about the lap in the car was just to big.The 660 has a larger screen and is easier to type in addresses. The downside on the Garmin is you can't put in more than one way-point and that is where the Copilot shines. We use both units and would not give up either unit.
       
        Don

[TomC]

I have the Magellan 360.  Just love it.  It's just wonderful when you come into a city and can pull up where the nearest Safeway, or restaurant, or just enter the address of the RV park.  Takes all the tension out of a trip.  Good Luck, TomC

[bobofthenorth]

I've owned a lot of GPS in my life for both business and pleasure.  I'm partial to the big brand names so I'd stick with Garmin or Magellan, just because.  I'd also make sure that whatever you buy can puke out NMEA strings.  I don't know what that acronym stands for but it is some kind of GPS standard and it is what you will need if you want to hook your GPS up to a laptop or a fish finder or whatever.  Other than that I don't think you can probably go wrong.  They all come with some pretty wonderful built in software. 

Be aware that the map sets that come with them are of varying quality.  Don't trust their routing information 100%.  Having said that, I wouldn't travel without my Garmin and computer.  I use Streets & Trips, Mapsource (Garmin proprietary) and Fugawi when we travel because each of them has different strengths.  Sometimes I have all 3 running in separate windows - if you want to do that then you will need something like Franson GPSGate to provide GPS signals to each of the windows.  We've got a computer arm set up behind the driver's seat that swings out to be accessible to the co-pilot or to be beside the driver.  I just throw my Garmin on the dash & it gets an adequate signal there.  I have fooled around with roof antennas with my older units but the current generation has some really good internal antennas and it doesn't seem to matter that they are inside a tin box.

[jeepme]

I use a Magellan, on the dash, no external antenna for a speedometer. Works great although you will loose the signal occasionally in heavy woods and canyons. Unfortunately that's where you usually need the speed input for shifting. I do plan on fixing the speedometer for that reason, I like to know my speed ALL the way down the mountain.

I also have ms Streets and Trips with the little square gps receiver which I picked up before my last trip. $99 at Sams. We sat the laptop on the dinette behind the driver with the gps suction cupped to the side window. It looses signal more often but still hardly ever.

Jason Whitaker
4104 Loveland, CO

[plyonsMC9]

We use the "TomTom One".  Excellent reviews.  Self-contained.  All data can go on an SD card.  Many fun accessories.  Very fast to acquire a signal.  And - you can put in whichever voice you would like to select.  I have John Cleese on now.  British comedian.  Fun & useful.

Hope this helps, Phil

[Chaz]

Can they all be used as a speedometer??? I need one and I may as well kill as many birds with one stone as i can. 

 
Don't know how fast I'm going, but I'll get there,
    Chaz

[white-eagle]

every one i've seen has the ability to show very accurately how fast you were going.

if you get the computer based software like street atlas or streets and trips, you can even log your trip and how fast you were going the whole way.  that way you can prove to the officer that you weren't speeding down that hill.

[justin25taylor]

If you are using a laptop please consider Co-pilot truck.
I drive buses for a living and I love all the extra info Co-Pilot provides. It chooses routes knowing you are diving a large vehicle and keeps you on roads with good bridges and tall overpasses. If you have a internet connection it will give you up to the minute traffic info as well.
If you have to keep a log book like I do it will also take care of that.
For me Co-pilot is the best value out there as well as the only software I know of that is made for large vehicles.
If you call them they will send you a cd and let you try it for a month.
YMMV
Justin